Buellton California

Buellton is located just north of Santa Barbara in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country and just 10 miles from the beautiful Pacific Ocean on Hwy 101. Surrounded by bucolic scenery and the rolling Sta. Rita Hills, Buellton is home to the famous “Sideways” movie. Known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, one will find the pioneer makers and masters of this wine right here in Buellton. The Craft Beer industry has also made its way into Buellton featuring two award winning breweries, Firestone/Walker, and Figueroa Mountain Brew Co. To the east is the quaint Danish village of Solvang and to the west is the town of Lompoc, home of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Still known for Pea Soup, Buellton has much more to offer and is an up and coming City with annual events centered around; wine, beer, food, arts, cycling, and more.

Climate: Nestled in the Sta. Rita Hills, the climate is ideal year around. Days are warm and anywhere from 70-80°F. The evenings may get down to 40-50°F depending on the season. Majority of the time is sunny with very little rain. The wind usually picks up in the mid-afternoon. Dressing in layers is best when visiting Buellton and the surrounding Valley.

Population: Approximately 5,000 people reside in Buellton with an Average Household Income of just over $83,000 with the Median Home Price of $425,000.

Education: Buellton Union School District is a K-8 district with an enrollment of approximately 700 students. It is currently served by two schools. Oak Valley Elementary includes grades K-5, while Jonata Middle School serves students in grades 6-8. Both are rural, neighborhood schools located within a few blocks of one another.

Major Attractions

Buellton is often referred to, “The home of Pea Soup”. Andersen’s Pea Soup Restaurant is a historical landmark situated in the center of town on the Avenue of Flags. The Avenue of Flags use to be known as Hwy 101 and was dotted with hotels, restaurants, and service stations providing a stop-over for people traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco and vice versa. When the new Hwy was built, the business and service industry moved along with it leaving some vacancies on the Avenue. Today however, the Avenue continues to revive and attract new business and development.

Industrial Way has taken on a new life in addition to the light industry that still exists. State of the art custom crush facility, a craft brewery, first legal distillery in Santa Barbara County, since the prohibition, and fabulous eateries have drawn folks down Industrial Way for much more to discover.

Other major attractions for Buellton have come about from the, “Sideways” movie which was filmed in 2004. The Hitching Post II, Ostrichland, Alma Rosa Winery, and the Days Inn are just a few landmarks used in the filming of the movie and still draw attention today.

The Sta. Rita Hills are world known and have become famous for their East-West formation which allows for award winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes to grow, producing some of the best wines on the Central Coast. More and more tasting rooms are moving into Buellton, creating a unique tasting experience.

The Mendenhall Museum is a must see. A private collection owned by the Mendenhall Family, one will find a grand exhibit of vintage signs, automotive memorabilia, antiques, classic and vintage cars, petrolina collection, and much more. It’s a step back in time as you wander through this unique collection which is meticulously displayed and covers every inch of the museum. This museum also plays home to the Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame. Whether you’re into automotive museums or not, this is one like no other. Reservations are required.

Recreation: Buellton promotes a healthy living style for all ages. The Buellton Rec Center is operated by the City and offers a variety of services and amenities. Zaca Creek Golf Couse is a 9 hole Par 3 municipal golf course located along the Santa Ynez River. Buellton operates River View Park, the largest park in the City which boasts a walking trail, playground areas, BBQ areas, basketball courts, a large grass area, the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden, and serves as a major event venue. Oak Park is a smaller park, located adjacent to Oak Valley Elementary School and offers a playground for kids and BBQ/picnic areas. Paws Dog Park is an off-leash dog park serving dogs of all sizes. Two separately fenced areas are offered to keep the small dogs and big dogs separate. Buellton also welcomes cyclists from around the world to embark on a scenic journey through the wine country. Bucolic roads and stunning backdrops make for a unique cycling experience.

Events: Buellton has become home to many annual events drawing attendees from around the globe. From Wine and Chili to Craft Beer and from Cycling events to Vintage Trailers and Polo matches, the City of Buellton offers something almost year around. Be sure to check out the calendar on www.visitbuellton.com for the latest events.

Getting Here

By Car: Buellton is conveniently located at the crossroads of Hwy 101 and Hwy 246 in the center of Santa Barbara County.

By Air: The closest airports are either Santa Maria (30miles North) or Santa Barbara (30miles South). Rental Cars, taxi’s, and shuttle service are available from both locations.

By Rail: Although the railroad does not run directly through Buellton, the Pacific Surfliner makes stops at nearby stations and passengers may then continue the trip via the Amtrak Bus Service.

Staying Here

Buellton offers accommodations for every budget including a beautiful RV Resort & Campground. 7 hotel properties provide over 500 rooms total and range in amenities. You’ll find Buellton to be centrally located to all of the things to do and see in the Santa Ynez Valley. It’s a great place to call your home away from home while visiting the area.

Groups & Meetings: Some hotels and lodging properties offer meeting spaces on property and may work with groups from 6-500 people depending on the set-up of the room. Also, some of the local restaurants offer areas for smaller groups to meet.